If you have lived in the United States for six months or more since age 18, IRCC generally needs a US police certificate. That certificate is the FBI Identity History Summary, a fingerprint-based record from the FBI. A state or local police check alone is not enough for a standard PR application. State certificates are usually added only for criminal rehabilitation, temporary resident permit or authorization-to-return applications.
Police certificates are one of the most common causes of last-minute stress after an Express Entry invitation. Our general guide on police certificates for Express Entry explains why. This page covers the US certificate specifically.
Who needs a US police certificate?
- US citizens applying for Canadian permanent residence
- Green card holders and visa holders (H-1B, F-1, L-1 and others) who have lived in the US 6+ months since turning 18
- Accompanying spouses or partners and dependent children aged 18 or older who meet the same test
- Anyone IRCC specifically asks, including some temporary residence applicants
You need a certificate from every country where you lived six months or more since age 18. If you moved to the US from India, the Philippines or elsewhere, you will likely need that country’s certificate as well.
FBI Identity History Summary vs state checks
| Document | Issued by | Used for |
| Identity History Summary (fingerprint-based) | FBI Criminal Justice Information Services | Standard US police certificate for PR and most IRCC applications |
| State police / state repository check | State agency (e.g., Michigan State Police) | Added for criminal rehabilitation, TRP or authorization-to-return applications |
| Local police letter | City or county police | Not a substitute for the FBI certificate |
How to request your FBI Identity History Summary
- Get fingerprinted. In the US, use an FBI-approved channeler or a local fingerprinting service. In Canada, use an accredited fingerprinting provider.
- Submit the request. Apply online through the FBI’s Identity History Summary service, or through an FBI-approved channeler, with your fingerprints and fee.
- Receive the result. Electronic requests are often returned within days. Mailed requests take longer, so plan for weeks.
- Keep the original. Upload the certificate as instructed in your IRCC application. Keep receipts and tracking numbers.
Timing: the 60-day ITA window
After an Express Entry invitation to apply, you have 60 days to submit a complete application. Fingerprint appointments, courier time and channeler processing can use up a surprising share of that window. If you are already in the pool with a competitive score, consider ordering the FBI certificate before you are invited. IRCC can ask for a newer certificate if yours is old, so check the date rules in your instruction guide.
What if it will not arrive in time?
Submit the application on time with proof that you applied for the certificate: payment receipt, submission confirmation and courier tracking. Add a clear letter of explanation. This does not guarantee acceptance, but it shows reasonable effort. Our ITA: PR or refusal guide covers what happens after submission.
If your record shows an arrest or conviction
An FBI record can show arrests even when charges were dropped, and it can show old convictions you had forgotten about. A single DUI can make you inadmissible to Canada. Read can you enter Canada with a DUI? and speak to an RCIC before you file, because criminal rehabilitation may need to come first.
Frequently asked questions
Does IRCC accept a state police check instead of the FBI one?
Not for a standard PR application. IRCC relies on the FBI Identity History Summary. State certificates are usually added only for criminal rehabilitation, TRP or authorization-to-return cases.
I only lived in the US for my studies. Do I still need one?
Yes, if you spent six months or more in the US after turning 18, regardless of your reason for being there.
Can I get FBI fingerprints taken in Canada?
Yes. Accredited fingerprinting providers in Canada can take fingerprints for FBI requests.
Do my children need FBI certificates?
Only family members aged 18 or older who lived in the US for six months or more after turning 18.
How long is an FBI certificate valid for IRCC?
IRCC does not set one validity period for every case. Follow your application’s instruction guide, and expect a request for a new certificate if yours is old.
